Osaka red light district to be closed during G-20 summit

May 17, 2019 | News On Japan

May 17, 2019 (Japan Today) - A major red light district in Osaka will be closed during the Group of 20 summit in late June, the first such decision in 30 years, the local restaurant association said Thursday.

All 159 members of the Tobita Shinchi association will not operate during the June 28-29 gathering as the association sought to "avoid causing disruption in the area," one of its officials said.

The association also deemed that workers at member businesses would have problems commuting as large-scale traffic restrictions will be in place during the two-day gathering of world leaders.

The last time the entire district was closed was during the funeral of Emperor Hirohito on Feb 24, 1989, according to the association.

Tobita Shinchi, formerly known as one of the largest quarters of licensed brothels in Japan, houses many such businesses that operate under the name of Japanese-style restaurants.

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